Curse of Turan
A legendary curse blamed for Hungary's historical misfortunes.
The Curse of Turan is a belief that a malicious spell has afflicted Hungary for centuries, manifesting as inner strife, pessimism, misfortune, and historic catastrophes. It is notable for its enduring presence in Hungarian cultural and historical discourse.
Quick Facts
- First written mention
- Ferenc Herczeg publications
- Hungary's conversion to christianity
- AD 1000
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- Hungary's high suicide rate has been blamed on the curse; in the mid-1980s, Hungary led the world in this indicator.
- Hungarians have the third shortest life expectancy in Europe outside the countries of the former USSR.
- In the 19th century, artists searched for Asian characteristics in Hungarian folk art and called them "Turanic motifs."
Origin
Theories of the curse's origin vary. The name derives from the concept of a "turanian people," popularized in Hungary through Max Müller's works in the second half of the 19th century. Ferenc Herczeg first wrote the phrase "Turáni átok." One theory holds that adherents of the old Hungarian religion cursed Christian Hungary after King Stephen's conversion in AD 1000, either forever or for 1,000 years. Another suggests the legend arose in the 1850s, reflecting pessimism after the failed 1848 revolution.
National catastrophes
Several events are traditionally seen as manifestations of the curse. The 1848 revolution was crushed by Habsburg and Russian forces. World War II and the 1956 revolution also figure among these catastrophes.
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